Padres celebrate Machado’s birthday with series win over Rangers
MLB
Petco Park –
The San Diego Padres (48-41) closed out their three-game series against the Texas Rangers (44-46) with a complete team win on Sunday afternoon at Petco Park. The team pulled away for a 4–1 victory behind stellar bullpen pitching, timely offense, and an error-aided insurance run late.
The game also marked a milestone day for Manny Machado, who turned 33 years old and entered the contest just two hits shy of 2,000 for his career.
Though he didn’t collect a hit in this one, the team gave him the best gift possible — a series-clinching win.
Before first pitch, it was announced that Fernando Tatis Jr. and reliever Jason Adam were selected as National League All-Star reserves. For Tatis, it’s his third All-Star nod; for Adam, his first.
Our boys are ATL bound ? pic.twitter.com/6LspvgikFs
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) July 7, 2025
On the two RBI double to give the Padres the lead, Tatis Jr. said, “Just staying aggressive with my pitch. Trying to put together a good at bat for team and happy I came in clutch right there.”
Texas opened the scoring in the top of the first when Josh Smith singled and later came around to score on a double to right by Corey Seager. But with the bases loaded, David Morgan avoided a major jam by getting Marcus Semien to strike out and Jonah Heim to line out to second.
The Padres loaded the bases in their half of the first on singles by Tatis and Luis Arraez, plus a walk to Gavin Sheets, but Jack Leiter escaped with back-to-back strikeouts of Machado and Jackson Merrill.
In the bottom of the third, San Diego tied the game. Tatis walked, stole second, and scored on Arraez’s RBI single to center. The Padres took their first lead an inning later when Trenton Brooks and Martín Maldonado reached base ahead of Tatis, who drove a two-out RBI double into the left-field corner. However, Maldonado was thrown out trying to score from first, limiting the damage.
An RBI from Fernando Tatis Jr. puts the Padres ahead ?
The call at the plate was overturned, but the Padres lead the Rangers 2-1
? Sunday Night Baseball on ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/Stn13288pk
— ESPN (@espn) July 7, 2025
San Diego added to its lead in the bottom of the sixth after Xander Bogaerts singled and scored on a hit by Maldonado that turned into two extra bases on a throwing error by left fielder Wyatt Langford. Tatis was intentionally walked to load the bases, but Merrill and Sheets were retired to end the threat.
The final insurance run came in the seventh. After a two-out single by Sheets and a stolen base by Bryce Johnson, Bogaerts walked, and Jake Cronenworth drove a fastball into center to score Johnson. Iglesias grounded out to end the frame, but San Diego had pushed its lead to 4–1.
On the mound, the Padres’ bullpen was brilliant. Morgan allowed one run in 1.1 innings but limited the damage. Kyle Hart was electric, retiring all 11 batters he faced across 3.2 innings. Jeremiah Estrada followed with a dominant 6th, striking out two Rangers with 99 mph heat and filthy splitters. Robert Suárez took the mound in the 9th and sealed the victory in dominant fashion. He induced a groundout from Jonah Heim, then struck out both Wyatt Langford and Evan Carter swinging, hitting 100 mph on the radar gun and mixing in a sharp changeup to finish off the frame. The trio of Adam, Morejon, and Suárez combined for four scoreless innings of relief with six strikeouts and just two hits allowed.
San Diego’s pitching staff held Texas scoreless for the final eight innings, allowing just two hits over the last five. Hart (3.2 IP, 0 H, 0 BB, 2 K) was especially effective, mixing a low-80s sweeper and changeup to keep hitters off balance.
Up Next:
The Padres open a three-game set against the division rival Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday night. Yu Darvish is scheduled to make his long-awaited 2025 season debut, returning from an elbow injury that’s kept him out since spring. Arizona counters with Zac Gallen (7–6, 5.45 ERA), who struck out 10 in his last outing. First pitch is set for 6:40 p.m. PDT at Petco Park.
J.J. Rodriguez is a passionate sports writer making his debut with East Village Times. Born and raised in Southwest Florida, he is a father of four and an eight-year U.S. Marine Corps veteran who has lived in Southern California since 1996. A devoted fan of the San Diego Padres, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Florida Gators, J.J. brings a lifetime of sports enthusiasm to his writing. He’s currently pursuing a degree in elementary education and enjoys life as an empty-nester with his wife of 19 years, Lisa.